Led grow lights recommendations.

Just looked it up, we actually reach 12hrs daylight on 18 march.

 

Have used a mains Power Meter for some years, very handy for seeing how much electricity is used by the frost free heaters etc over the nights or weeks etc.

Below is a modern version of our older one.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/energeni...d=411789#product_additional_details_container

 

The heater would be the biggest consumer of anything you've got going. That is why I heat my greenhouse (end of March-May 15) with natural gas. And even that on low.

 

The heaters are set at plus 3 c just enough to keep the frost away.
Its just for overwintering the tender stuff.

 

No. I have a Smart battery charger and I keep it permanently connected to the car. The Jazz has a very small battery and as I only use the car very occasionally (I no longer need it most of the time) the Smart charger ensures the battery is in peak condition any time I need to use the car.

 

I believe the lowest wattage heater one can get is around the 300w range. Only cycling on a few hours a day wouldn't be a killer for sure.

 

They are on pretty sensitive thermostats, so only come on for short periods then go off.
They raise the temperature 2c and then go off until it drops 2c.

 

I have been using these large LED grow lights for a number of years but in an indoor greenhouse, aka grow tent. They can grow anything! I have grown toms and cucumbers in the winter, all manner of greens and flowers, and orchids. After using them I will use nothing else.

 

Have you come across new member @DieAna, she is growing some specialized / exotic Orchids in her new greenhouse.
We are just sticking with reflowering the good old phals these days.

 

Currently I am not growing any orchids except for one phal that I started from seed a few years ago. The only plants I am growing now are some Gerbera daisy seedlings, however, soon I will be starting toms for the greenhouse.

 

Right, though you were heavily into Orchids with your Flasking etc - clearly moved on to plants anew

 

As I thought about it, you care for orchids all year, and if you are lucky you have a blossom once a year that lasts a few days or weeks. In most cases that is. As I am very active in amateur radio and wildlife photography it became a time management decision. Now, I grow seedlings for the greenhouse and garden and occasionally an annual flowering plant in the grow tents.

 

@pete how are the plants under the lights doing? Are you happy with the way your plants are doing under them?

 

I've only got a few rooted cuttings and some bits and pieces at the moment Lori, just trying it out.
Things are growing but only slowly, maybe I need to up it a bit on the 12 hr day, I've got the temperature set at 20c.
I'll be sowing some seed soon so that might be a better trial.